Why does children’s nature connection matter?
Nature is essential for children to thrive
The Problem
In one generation, childhood has become indoors and sedentary. On average, today’s kids spend up to 7 hours a day in front of a screen, yet less than 10 minutes a day playing outdoors. The effects of this lifestyle on childhood development issues is alarming, with rising rates of obesity, mental illness, and chronic disease. Today's kids are weaker, less fit, and less emotionally stable than previous generations, and are the first generation ever to be predicted to have a lower life expectancy than their parents.
In addition, longstanding systems of inequity have created disparities in regular and safe access to nature. For too many kids, their race, income, identity, and ability has decreased their access to safe, outdoor spaces and experiences. These communities are at greater risk of the consequences of indoor and sedentary childhoods.
Benefits of Nature
The benefits of regular nature connection include enhanced health, increased social and emotional skills, and improved academic outcomes. Children who explore nature are happier, healthier, and smarter!
Nature makes us happier and gives us a sense of belonging
Time outdoors makes kids healthier and more active
Exploring nature stimulates the mind and imagination
Happier: Time in nature is linked to more positive moods, and gives children and families the opportunities to explore and learn while having fun and develop a sense of connection and belonging. To feel the sun on our skin, dig in the mud with our hands, hear leaves crunch beneath our feet, and watch birds soar through the sky, is to form a bond with other living things and the world we share. When children connect with nature, they also connect with each other, their families, and the community as they learn that they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Healthier: Children and families that connect with nature also increase their mental and physical wellness and gain a sense of life balance. Exploring natural settings makes children more confident, resilient, and have a higher measure of self-worth. It also reduces the risk of behavioral disorders, anxiety and depression, and other mental illnesses. Time outside and in nature encourages unique physical activity, improves coordination and balance, reduces the likelihood of being overweight, and stimulates children’s immune systems.
Smarter: Nature encourages kids to play in more diverse, imaginative and creative ways. It is an outdoor classroom where children experience science, math, language, and group learning by observing, touching, listening, smelling, telling, and doing. Time in nature is shown to improve cognitive functioning and academic performance, and enhance language and collaboration skills.
Benefits to our Environment: Thoughtfully greening our city and parks for nature exploration also improves our city's climate resilience, air and water quality, native habitats, and biodiversity. Through their experiences in nature, children also become more passionate stewards of the natural world.
For more information visit the Children & Nature Network database of studies on the benefits of nature.